The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Prost ($8.00) has held off the late challenge of Just Party ($3.00) to claim the Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon.
It was a big form reversal from the son of Snitzel after two unplaced efforts to kick-off the campaign, bouncing back to his best to claim the three-year-old feature with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle.
It was a relatively easy watch for punters in the middle stages if you were on the eventual winner, with Hyeronmus lobbing into the one-one throughout the 1600m journey, while stable companion Anode ($2.50) lead them along at a sedate tempo early.
Just Party was caught up in traffic along the inside running rail, similarly to his last-start performance in the Listed Tapp-Craig (1400m) on October 12 and was always going to need some luck when the whips were cracking.
Jay Ford managed to get Just Party into the clear with 400m left to travel and got the last crack at Prost as they entered the final furlong; it was just too late in the end, however, as Prost held tough to claim his first win since February and his first being tested at the mile.
2024 Group 2 Callander-Presnell Replay – Prost
Adrian Bott was on course to represent the stable and suggested it might be time for spell before targeting some autumn features.
“Look, it’s rewarding for him this preparation because there had been a few frustrating runs to date. So he’s back on track now,” said Bott.
“That may be enough for him this preparation.
“He’s a horse that will keep maturing, we’ll see more from him in the autumn, no doubt. But it’s good to see him open up a few more options as well, getting out in trip.
“We were trying to do that as a two-year-old. We always had him down as a Champagne (Stakes) horse and we just had to pull the pin on that preparation at that point in time. Good to see him run it out strongly today.
“He was a very talented two-year-old and it’s good to see him put that on his record at three because he’s a talented three-year-old as well. And I’m sure we’ll see more from him in the autumn.”
Adam Hyeronimus was elated with the win and echoed similar sentiments regarding the future for the Snitzel colt.
“It was good. He won well. Great to see,” said Hyronimus.
“Pleased for the horse and the owners because we’ve always thought a little bit of him. We had such a smooth run in transit and from the top of the straight, I always felt like the winner. And he was tough late. Very good.
“I think he was getting stronger (on the line). I really felt like the winner at the top of the straight but when we got challenged and I really got after him late, he was good and he found. It was very pleasing to see.”
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